The composition of the C-S-H phases in portland cement pastes

The composition of the calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) present in Portland cement pastes from eight days to five years old, and in concrete samples ten years old, has been determined by electron probe micro-analysis. The dependence of C-S-H composition on water/cement ratios has also been studied. When the cement is only partially hydrated inner and outer hydrate layers are seen around alite grains. These hydrates have different chemical compositions. With progressive hydration it becomes impossible to distinguish the inner from outer hydrates without a reference alite grain. At this stage two distinct C-S-H compositions can still be found by microanalysis. After further hydration a single CSH composition predominates. The calcium content of C-S-H varies significantly with water/cement ratio and there is new evidence to suggest that in the C-S-H structure Mg replaces Ca, and that Al, S and Fe replace Si.